Always keep a spare motorcycle key somewhere safe. Try to make it as obvious as possible to avoid misplacing the keys. Keep a designated spot where you keep the keys, and train household members to respect this area.
An automotive locksmith is able to create new keys for your bike. This process is relatively quick, but the cost will vary depending on what you want to do.
1. Retract Your Steps
Losing your motorcycle keys can be a nightmare. You can easily spend hundreds on tow for your bike and an Uber for yourself to get back home. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening. First, you should always have a spare key. If you don’t, the best option is to take your ignition switch cylinder to a locksmith. They will be able to use the cylinder code on the battery to match your key.
During this time, it’s important to stay calm and think clearly. Deep breathing and meditation can help reduce frustration and anxiety while also allowing you to focus on problem-solving.
It’s also a good idea to check all the common places where people lose keys, including their pockets, rucksack, or jacket. It’s also a good idea to consider calling a friend or relative, as they can bring you your spare key or give you a ride home.
Another thing to remember is that online services can cut a key from a photo, so it might be worth taking digital photos of your keys and keeping them somewhere safe. This way, you will have a record of them in case you lose your motorcycle keys.
Finally, it’s a good idea to program the phone number of your trusted tow company or locksmith into your smartphone so that you can call them if you ever lose your keys. Having this information saved will save you money and time if you lose your keys. Also, it’s a good idea to keep your motorcycle’s VIN written down in a secure location as well. This way, you can quickly and easily identify your motorcycle in the event of a theft.
2. Call a Friend or Relative
Losing your motorcycle keys can be frustrating and scary, but keeping calm is important. Deep breathing and meditation can help you regain control of your emotions and focus on problem-solving. This loss is a chance to build your resilience and learn from it for the future.
First, ensure you’re not losing the keys to your car or house (typically attached to the same key ring). Once you’re confident you haven’t lost the other set of keys, think back to where you last had them. If you remember dropping them off when you parked, try looking around the area again more thoroughly. It’s possible that the keys simply fell to the ground and were stepped on or buried.
If you don’t find the keys, call a friend or relative who might be able to help. They can bring you a spare key or come by your house and help you look for them. You can also ask a trusted friend or neighbor to lock your bike for you while you go get a replacement key. This will help prevent someone from stealing your bike or its parts.
Having an extra set of keys is the best way to avoid getting stranded. You can keep it in a pocket on your riding gear, attach it to a lanyard you don’t ever leave at home, or give one to a dependable tour buddy. It’s also a good idea to report the loss of your keys to the local police department if you think they might have been stolen. Doing so will provide a record in case a would-be thief ever finds the keys.
3. Contact a Locksmith
While losing your motorcycle keys can be stressful, staying calm is important. Take a few deep breaths and think back to where you last saw them. If you can retrace your steps, you may have found them within the last few minutes. Otherwise, it’s time to call a locksmith.
In most cases, a locksmith can replace your key using the ignition cylinder code. This is the easiest solution, but it may not be possible for some older motorcycles. If you’re worried about this, contact a dealership to see if they can provide a key code for your specific model.
Many modern motorcycles are equipped with fobs similar to those used by cars. If your bike has a fob and you lose it, it will need to be reprogrammed, which can be expensive. This is why it’s important to give a trusted friend a spare fob or keep one in a zipped pocket in your jacket that you won’t leave on your bike when you ride.
Traditional metal motorcycle keys can be replaced more easily than fobs, but they are still easy to misplace or lose. You can make your life easier by establishing consistent habits, such as placing your keys in the same spot each time you remove them. Keeping your home organized and training other household members to respect where you place your keys can also help prevent them from being lost. Investing in a large keychain or Bluetooth tracker can also make it harder to misplace your motorcycle keys.
While it’s easy to get frustrated when you lose your keys, there are ways to solve and avoid the problem in the future. Retracing your steps, calling a friend or relative, and calling a locksmith are all viable options that will help you find your motorcycle keys.
4. Unhook the Ignition Cylinder
Motorcycle keys are a lot smaller than car or house keys and are often lost easily. Luckily, there are several ways to get a new one. You can use a key chain, buy a Tile that goes on your keychain and pairs via Bluetooth with your phone to show you where it is, or simply call a locksmith who can cut you a new one. However, the most important way to avoid losing your motorcycle key is to treat it like your most important item and never leave it somewhere where it might be misplaced. Make it a habit to place the key in the same pocket each time, keep it on a sturdy, reliable keychain that won’t fall apart, and use a brightly colored key ring so it stands out in a crowd. Consider using a carabiner to hook your keys to your belt loop so they’re always close at hand. If you’re traveling long distances, try placing the key in a designated spot where it won’t be disturbed or moved.
Next, you need to call around and see if any local locksmiths can cut motorcycle keys. Depending on the model of your bike, you may have to unhook the ignition cylinder in order for them to cut you a new key. This is a fairly simple process, but it can be time-consuming and requires the right tools. Make sure you write down any wiring or cylinder code information before you take it apart and that you have a way to put all the hardware back together again once you’ve taken it off. This will help ensure you can make a proper connection and that the new key won’t accidentally disengage your engine.
5. Remove the Gas Cap Lock
Unless you’re a lucky person who found your keys right where you left them, you’ll probably need to take your bike to a locksmith to replace them. A locksmith will use a look-up table or program to translate the cylinder code into an identifier for which they can cut keys. Keeping an extra key in case you lose one is a good idea.
While leaving your keys unattended is never a good idea, sometimes it’s inevitable. If you’ve lost your keys, it’s important to remain calm and take action as soon as possible. The sooner you take action, the more likely you are to find your keys.
The cheapest way to replace your motorcycle keys is by getting the cylinder code. This is usually a three- or four-digit number that is located on the silver shaft of the ignition switch cylinder. You may have to loosen or turn the cylinder to see this code. Once you have this number, you can go to a locksmith, who will make you a new key at a minimal cost.
If you can’t find your key, there are a few other ways to start your bike. One method is to hot-wire the bike. This can be difficult and time-consuming, but it may be worth the effort if you need to get your bike back on the road.
Another method is to remove the gas cap lock with a paper clip. This is a simple method, but it may not work on all bikes. First, you’ll need to find a paper clip. You can use a regular paper clip, or you can even try using a piece of wire from an old hanger. Next, you’ll need to straighten out the paper clip and then insert it into the keyhole of the gas cap. Then, twist the lock clockwise until it unlocks.
